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Entamoeba Clone-recognition Experiments: implications for managing amebiasis
Avelina Espinosaa,b, Guillermo Paz-y-Miño-Cb, Meagan Hackeya and Scott Rutherfordc
a
Department of Biology, bNew England Center for the Public Understanding of Science,
Department of Environmental Science, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA
c
1. Background and Objective: Studies on clone- and kin-discrimination in protists have
proliferated during the past decade. Clone-recognition experiments in seven Entamoeba
lineages (E. invadens IP-1, E. invadens VK-1:NS, E. terrapinae, E. moshkovskii Laredo, E.
moshkovskii Snake, E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS and E. dispar) are reported.
2. Methods: Morphometric characterization for each clone (length, width, and cell-surface area)
and statistical analyses were performed (as per single-variable or canonical-discriminant
evaluates). Evaluation of how and if amebas themselves can discriminate self (clone) from
different (themselves versus other clones; plus, identification of putative cell-signals secreted by
the amebas were implemented.
3. Results: In mix-cell-line cultures between closely-related (E. invadens IP-1 versus E.
invadens VK-1:NS) or distant-phylogenetic clones (E. terrapinae versus E. moshkovskii Laredo),
amebas consistently aggregated with same-clone members. RasGap/Ankyrin, coronin-WD40,
actin, protein kinases, heat shock 70, and ubiquitin were identified. These proteins known
functions in Entamoeba spp. include: cell proliferation, cell adhesion, cell movement, and stressinduced encystation.
4. Discussion and Conclusions: This is the first multi-clone characterization of Entamoeba spp.
morphometrics, aggregative behavior, and cell-signaling secretion in the context of clonerecognition. Unicellular eukaryotes can be robust model systems to study the implications of
taxa, clone and kin discrimination/recognition in ecological and evolutionary contexts, and with
emphasis on basic or applied sciences.